By: Richard L. Smith
A South Brunswick police officer was injured after being attacked by a dog while responding to reports of loose livestock, Middlesex County authorities announced.
According to information released by Middlesex County Prosecutor Linda Estremera, South Brunswick Police received calls from two passing motorists on October 1 reporting that livestock had escaped containment and were near the roadway, where they were in danger of being struck by vehicles.
Authorities said an officer responded to the property and walked up the driveway in an attempt to contact the homeowner when a dog attacked.
The officer discharged his firearm to stop the attack, fatally injuring the dog, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
The officer was transported to Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in stable condition, where he was treated for his injuries and later released.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office has been designated as the independent agency investigating the incident pursuant to New Jersey Attorney General guidelines.